Three Kings Day weekend with very cold weather and snow at low elevations

BarcelonaThe calm of the first two days of the year will not last. We will be closely monitoring the changes that will arrive throughout this Three Kings' Day long weekend, the last of the Christmas holidays. The arrival of an Arctic air mass and the passage of the Atlantic storm Francis These conditions will cause a significant drop in temperatures, especially from Sunday onwards, with a full-on winter feel by the beginning of next week. We will also be keeping a close eye on the precipitation, as it could affect the western part of Catalonia (Ponent) on Sunday, with the snow level potentially plummeting. On Monday, snow is possible at very low elevations in several districts, coinciding with the Three Kings' Day parades; a situation we will need to monitor very closely. Meteocat has already issued the first snow warnings for elevations as low as 200 meters on Sunday in the western part of the country.

Saturday: first changes

Cloud cover will increase, making it a generally overcast day with only a few scattered breaks in the clouds. Precipitation is expected to be minimal. Only light showers or drizzles are possible throughout the day in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees – especially in the western Pyrenees – and in some areas of the Poniente region. Later in the day, light rain is possible in more areas of central and southern Spain. The snow level will be around 1,800 meters, but lower in the northeast and particularly on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, where it will be around 800 meters.

Separately, showers are also expected in the Valencian Community, increasing in intensity from the afternoon onwards and reaching the Balearic Islands. Minimum temperatures will be higher due to cloud cover, but maximum temperatures will generally decrease, especially in the Pyrenees and the northeast, creating a wintry feel. In contrast, temperatures may rise towards the west as the fog dissipates more quickly, and this fog will return in the morning to plains and valleys.

Sunday: snow level drops

According to current weather maps, Sunday will be another gray day with more precipitation, which will be light and mainly affect areas in the western half of the country. Be aware of the snow level, as it will start at 1,500 meters and will gradually drop throughout the day to 200 meters or lower by nightfall, due to the channeling of cold air through the Ebro basin. Therefore, it could snow, for example, anywhere in the Lleida plain or in the Terres de l'Ebre region. Scattered, light showers are also expected in the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees, with snow at all elevations. Some light rain or scattered showers are possible in other areas, while precipitation will increase in the Valencian Community, with snow particularly in the Els Ports and Alt Maestrat regions. Temperatures falling, with a cold, midwinter feel everywhere and freezing temperatures in the Pyrenees. Strong Tramontana winds in the Empordà region and moderate Mistral winds in the Ebro valley. Three Kings Day parades and celebrations will be very cold with possible snowfall.

Despite a high degree of uncertainty, precipitation could affect many areas on Monday, especially in Barcelona, ​​Lleida, northern Tarragona, and the Valencian Community. The snow level will fluctuate between 200 and 400 meters, but could drop even lower overnight. Therefore, some parades might take place in the snow, a situation we will have to monitor closely, as everything will depend on the storm's final impact. Francis and its interaction with the very cold air mass of Arctic origin. The snowfall appears to be more minimal in the Pyrenees.

What we can be sure of is the cold, as it will be very intense and typical of winter. We'll need to bundle up to go out and greet Their Majesties on Monday afternoon. Temperatures will be significantly below average and will continue on Three Kings' Day, with calmer, sunnier weather. At the highest points of the Pyrenees, temperatures will reach -15°C, with extreme wind chills of less than -30°C.